Days passed tensely. Minfilia dare not voice her worries about Titan, lest Merlwyb learn things had fallen apart. Instead, she spent the time resting up, and working on battle plans. The Drydocks were awake with activity, preparing for the catch of a lifetime.

It was during one of these times that Noctis walked in, watching as Minfilia looked between Sahagin scripture, historical records of Levithan, and a battle map she’d gotten drawn up. Concern laced her face, as she tapped on the map.

“Bad time?” Noctis asked, half-knocking on the inn door.

Turning, Minfilia shook her head. “I actually meant to talk to you about this. Your aid in this endeavor is appreciated, of course, but…”

“Is it the Prince thing?” Noctis asked, flopping onto the bed. (One of his legs seemed a bit stiff, Minfilia noted.) “I know, it’s a bit awkward…”

Again, Minfilia shook her head. “No, my reaction to such was over the top. I am… simply tired of how clueless I am about the situation around everything. But this isn’t about that,” she stated, as she stood up. Picking up the small figurine of him on the battle map, she sat next to him. Let her top slip a little, so he could see the burn marks on her back. Scars left by all of this. “No, I wish to ask…

…are you truly okay with aiding us with this?”

A pause. Noctis blinked a few times, before averting his gaze a little. “Why wouldn’t I be? This is my home as well.”

“Bartz told me you had trauma related to this,” Minfilia admitted. “I dare not pry further. There are… some creatures… I cannot face, due to my own trauma.”

Oh. That hit a nerve, and Noctis was oddly still. “…I think it’s time for me to tell you everything about Stella. And Lunafreya. If we’re going to be open, it’s better if I start from there.”

Still, Noctis didn’t sit up. He lay with an arm over his face. “The Leviathan of my home was pretty different. But she—

Well. I was meant to make a pact with her. But during it, she got attacked. Got riled up. And during all of that, Lunafreya was killed by… well, by somebody who ended up chosen by the gods of the Conflict to be even more immortal then before.” After speaking, Noctis groaned so loudly Minfilia almost thought it was a rumbling outside.

“These gods seem to choose the best and worst sort of people,” Minfilia commented. “Heroes and villains…”

“To keep some sort of eternal war going.” Noctis said, quietly, before returning to his story. “Eventually, I was summoned. A bit before him, actually. I made friends, got stuck being immortal, but eventually we came to here.

And then, eventually, that’s when she appeared. Stella. She claims none of that stuff happened. That Leviathan wasn’t even an Astral, that Astrals didn’t exist.” Noctis’ voice was getting louder and angrier. “That every time my friends were reborn and we got to be together, she should have been there. But— I never knew her! Even if she’s part of Lunafreyas’ family— she would have told me if she had a secret sister!”

A pause. Noctis catching his breath, wiping at the wetness now on his face. “So I decided to avoid her. But I— the thing is? Some of the way she moves, she talks, she acts— I can see Lunafreya in it. So I don’t know what she’s done with her, but I just— I just want to know.

Maybe hunting down Leviathan will give me answers. Maybe the Astrals got reborn here, as well. Isn’t the strangest thing I’ve seen.”

After he finished talking, Minfilias’ resolve had been built up. “Then… if you wish to help us, then I shall let you. And— I know it is not my duty to do so, but I will seek answers on Stella. She is currently in Mor Dhona – my… nation, I suppose. She’s trying to cause issues, but it’s under control.” At least, as much as it could be. Still, she had a question. “Just for the record – could I have the name of the man who caused this? Since he is likely around.”

“…Ardyn,” Noctis said though gritted teeth. “But you probably know him better as Ardyn Lux Izunia.”

Ah. That name rang a bell. Minfilia had heard whispers, way back, that Emperor Solus had been in bed – figuratively – with a man keeping him alive in his old age. Gossip, and yet now it was more. “Of course immortals have their hand in Garlemald.”

Noctis looked like he was about to not say something, before: “All of this is a sick game between us Warriors and the Ascians. ‘course they’re messing around in empires.” Both of them sounded so sick of it. “Can we just focus on Leviathan now?”

“Right,” Minfilia said, moving back to the wooden table. “What is your plan?”

Noctis looked to his hands a little. “You know how I’m good at fishing?”

“…You plan to fish them up,” Minfilia said. Doubt in her voice.

Noctis heard it. And shook his head. “If we can prevent Leviathan from being in the sea, then that’ll nullify a lot of their strengths. This boat is going to have those glyphs carved into it, so you and your friends just need to weaken them. It’s… it ends up okay, doesn’t it?” Noctis asked, now gazing at Minfilias’ Kobold-like ears. “Does it hurt?”

“It does,” Minfilia said quietly, “but it also means that the Primal is sealed. That it cannot hurt others.” Something she had to repeat to herself, over and over. Even with Titan devoured, it still meant that Garuda and Titan could not be summoned. (Could Ramuh have ever been summoned, with Rhalgr around?) “And once Leviathan is sealed, we can interrogate them. Learn who they were before, and how they were summoned. And then we can work with the Sahagin, now we are not at risk of being wiped out.”

Noctis nodded, though noted Minfilias’ serious expression. It reminded him of… ah. “You’re pretty good at this planning stuff,” Noctis noted. “You know, after this, if you need more help around the place—”

“—as long as it’s not around Stella? Of course,” Minfilia said, nodding back. Before getting back to her battle map. So it’d be her, Lyse, Cordis, and Arenvald – Fordolas’ reaction to the corrupted crystals was a little unnerving, so she’d be backup. From the corner of her eye, Minfilia noticed Noctis’ fidgeting a bit more – but she didn’t want to make him talk more then he needed.

It was dusk when Merlwyb entered. “The boat’s ready, Minfilia. Once again – I’m going to owe you and your adventurer allies much, if this works.”

Minfilia nodded back. “You know, all I ask is for this to be solved – and if it does go wrong, for it to not reflect badly on Mor Dhona. At this current time, Lord Belias is elsewhere. Thus, if this fails, it is but his rogue emissary that failed.” Every word Minfilia said was trying to protect others, not herself. “Though I doubt it will come to that.”

This was the Minfilia Merlwyb loved to see. Full of courage and confidence. “Right. Your crew awaits.”

Noctis following, Minfilia made her way to the customised boat. Lyse giving a bit of a yawn – she was a sylph under her glamours, and it was growing dark – and Cordis giving a bit of an odd look. Even though Minfilia said no, Fordola was there as well – leaning a little on her slightly-Moogled ally, Arenvald. They all got on the boat, setting out into the grand seas around La Noscea.

Time passed. The corrupted crystals lit the deck, Noctis preparing for the fishing of a lifetime. Fordola was keeping her eyes out, staring outwards. Sensing where Leviathan was, slightly shifting and calling out movement. Arenvald and Lyse sat back, conserving their strength – as Minfilia stood anxiously pacing, and Cordis stood still – looking to the full moon now and again. Each of them had their plans.

Fordola raised a hand. Sniffing in the air. “It’s around here,” Fordola snarled. “But… something feels wrong.”

Minfilia let out a little sound. Fordola sniffed again. “Smells a little fishy, if you ask me.

—I wasn’t tryin’ to make a pun or anything, but I dunno. Might be the corrupt crystals messin’ with my mind,” Fordola admitted, sitting down as Noctis got out his fishing rod. It’d still take time – and the full moon was over them. As if it was giving them their blessing.

Yet, as it turned to the middle of the night, Minfilia felt something strange as well in her heart. The feeling like her Echo was trying to warn her of something. But there was a rumble. A glow from the sea.

And then— Leviathan, above them. Screeching in an inhuman manner, a melding of the beast and a strange coating of metal. Primal did seem to take from their summons… so some form of armoured fighter? Minfilia had to think about this, as the fish pulled at Noctis – until he— summoned a blade? Knocked the beast down with it? Before any of them could consider what he did, they had to rush in to fight. To defeat the beast.

Minfilia was near the edge. It was fine. Her fists felt strange, but she summoned strength from within – she could feel what felt like Rhalgrs’ energy coming from them, lightning sparking against the metal and scales. She could barely see the others, as she focused on the tail. Not noticing that Cordis had stopped striking.

Elidibus looked to Minfilia. It seems that he had awoken on this trip – Elidibus had paid attention to what was happening. What he could do. While he was not one to cause the same conflict of his brethern, but Minfilia… she was a threat, Elidibus could see. She was cruel to him, and was so very curious. Too curious.

All it took was one movement. One seemingly accidental slam into her.

Minfilia wasn’t focused on Cordis, mind you! She was busy helping, about to call out that they should use the powders. But within a moment, Minfilia fell. She stared upwards, unable to scream fast enough – and saw the dark look of Cordis, of a man that should have been the Warrior of Light, filled with hatred. With malice no one person should have.

The sea engulfed Minfilia, and nobody else noticed.